by Rue Volley
I looked at her in disbelief. I’m not a child, but GG clapped her hands and rushed into the kitchen, so both Court and I followed. There, in the middle of the room, sat three large pumpkins on the kitchen table. My mom had placed recycled paper bags under them.
We used to carve them yearly, but I couldn’t remember the last time we had done this as a family. I guess some traditions fade over time.
The words echoed in my mind as the scene glitched before me.
Was it déjà vu, or memories? I couldn’t tell.
My mom rushed to the table and turned to face the three of us with knives in her hands. GG’s eyes widened with excitement. I wasn’t sure that she should have one.
“Now, be careful. I don’t plan on taking anyone to the hospital tonight.”
I nodded. There was no fighting her. She approached, and I chose the knife with a black handle. GG took the white one, and Court took the red. Now we were left to look like serial killers with these oversized weapons in our hands.
Mom turned and smiled at the three of us. Her thick socks allowed her to glide like a dancer on the wooden floor. “Now, I have to get my costume on and then wrestle your brothers into theirs before the party.”
I grinned as she spun around and stared at the three of us. “I’ll be going as a Witch this year.”
No one said anything, and then she waved a hand and started laughing. “So silly, why would I do that? I am one!” She spun around one more time. “No—this year, I will be the Mother of Dragons, and your father is going as Jon Snow.”
My lips parted. “You do know that they’re brother and sis—”
She held her hand up and interrupted me. “And your brothers will be—”
“Oh, let me guess. Dragons.” I added, “But don’t you need three?”
She winked at me. “I do have three.”
Both GG and Court giggled under their breath. I didn’t find it that funny. I’m not a dragon.
“Well, have fun!” She winked at me and left us alone to dig in. The pumpkins were all quite big so that it would take a little while, but I didn’t mind. At least she had left us alone to talk, giving me the opportunity to explain why I really asked them to stay with me tonight.
GG stepped up to the pumpkin of her choice, and Court chose the one directly across from her. That left me with the one with the curliest stem. I grinned. I guess this was a cool idea, after all.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I slapped a handful of pulp on the table. It splattered, tossing a seed into GG’s hair, but she didn’t care. Court picked it out as GG bit the side of her tongue and continued to saw away on her pumpkin. I already had my top off and half the pulp emptied, but I am a pumpkin carving expert. That’s what happens when you grow up in a town like Juniper Hollow.
We are Halloween.
I paused, rubbing the back of my hand against my forehead. Court stared at me and then giggled. She reached in and removed an orange string from my hair.
“So, I need to talk.” I didn’t want them to laugh at me or call me crazy—or both. I needed their help.
Court paused with the knife in her hand. “Oh, yeah? Let me guess, would it involve a boy?”
GG sighed. “Don’t make fun. You just spent a year with one.” A bit of pulp slid off her blade and hit the table with a thud. She was really embracing this pumpkin carving thing. You’d think that she had some pent-up aggression or something. But don’t we all?
Court stabbed her pumpkin in the side, making me flinch. “I told you I don’t want to talk about him.”
GG stabbed her pumpkin in the face. “Only because he broke up with you.”
Their aggression made me wonder if this whole thing with Killian had been one big plan to keep me from being with anyone. I’d love to talk about it, but I’m afraid it would just make them madder than they already are.
I didn’t know that Court had been dumped. I never imagined that anyone could or would dump one of the prettiest girls in the world.
Court placed a hand on her hip, flinging some pumpkin onto the floor. “And what about you?” She held her hand up to her heart. “What happened to the love of your life?”
“Not fair,” GG half-whispered.
“Hey—it’s okay. It is. Sometimes things just don’t work out.” I added, hoping to calm them down. We hadn’t spent any time talking about this. I guess that was my fault. I didn’t want to bring it up and run the chance of somebody going back to their boyfriend. The fact that they were all gone was enough for me and always would be.
A gift, really. The best one of all.
“Listen, Harper. I’m sorry. I know I didn’t talk to you about Harry.”
Court laughed, repeating the name. “Harry.” It didn’t sit well.
GG’s eyebrow rose to a point. “Yes, that was his name.” She tapped her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. “Anyway, I know I should’ve talked to you instead of just disappearing, and then when I found out that Court and Liv did the same thing to you—well, that sucks. We suck, like a collective suckery.” She waved the knife around, and Court and I moved back. “and I guess I have to apologize for all three of us.” She glared at Court, who tapped the side of her pumpkin.
“What? Boys happen! Is it my fault that we all started dating at the same time? I don’t think so.”
The room was silent. “Harper—I—seriously.”
GG tilted her head mouthing words I couldn’t hear, but I could guess.
I looked down, and she sighed. Finally, she surrendered. “Fine, it did suck. I’m sorry, too, but I—”
GG lifted a shiny finger. “Nope. Just say you’re sorry and stop, Court. You’ll survive. Trust me.”
I hid a grin. Court was so stubborn. It was hard for her to admit blame, but in doing so, it showed me just how much she cared about me. I wanted to hug her, but my hands were a sticky mess, too.
I offered a nod. They didn’t have to apologize, but it felt good that they did. Being alone after knowing them my whole life did suck. It was lonely and confusing. I felt like I had done something wrong. Like I pushed them away. I know it was all of my insecurities messing with my head, but still, when it happens, you can’t help but run the gamut of possibilities.
“I missed you guys,” I said, fighting back tears.
“Aw—I missed you too! We all did!” GG spoke up while glancing at Court. Court gave me a nod, which was more than I expected.
I finished emptying my pumpkin and then cleaned my hands and wiped it off. I placed the tip of the knife to the side and paused.
It was now or never, so I decided to jump right in feet first and hope for the best. This had two possible outcomes.
Possibility number one—they would die laughing and never talk to me again, or possibility number two—they would be in my corner and do whatever they could to find out what was really going on.
I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. “I think Killian is dead.”
Both Court and GG dropped their knives at the same time. The pointed ends stuck in the wood and rocked back and forth.
I began to cut, creating an eye. They both stood there motionless, like deer in headlights. I popped out the first triangle with a grin and dropped it on the table, pleased with both my admission and how well I had carved. I lifted my knife. Ready to dig into the second eye just when Court spoke up. “Um. What?” She glanced at GG and then back to me in total disbelief.
“Dead. I think he’s a real dead boy,” I added like I was telling them about the weather. Admitting it seemed easier than I expected, or maybe I’m in complete denial. Either way, it was working.
Court stepped up to me, took my knife, and laid it down on the table as gently as she could.
“Okay, we need to talk. Like talk talk, right now.”
I bit my lip and gave her a nod. I eyed the door to the atrium and led them out there so we could be all alone. Mom, Dad, and the twins hadn’t left for the party yet, so I took real risk by telling them what I
thought while standing in the kitchen.
We reached the center of the atrium, and I turned while wringing my hands. The nerves were finally kicking in. We stood in a circle. Court had her arms crossed over her chest, and GG appeared paler than usual. The bits of rain hit the glass above us. There it was. We may need umbrellas when we collect our candy tonight.
“Are you feeling okay?” GG asked.
I nodded. “Yeah—except for a sore throat, but I always have that.”
“No fever, dizziness?” she added while feeling my forehead with the back of her hand.
I laughed. “No, last week, yes. Now, no.”
Court gave me a good once-over. “Dead? Killian? The boy who joined our book club? That Killian?”
I grinned. “What other Killian do we know?”
GG looked at Court then back to me. “Honey, listen. I get that Liv got you all upset, but he was only teasing. I’m sure he isn’t going to ask you to marry him.”
I shook my head. “I know.”
Court leaned in. “No—I don’t think you do. Oliver Millhousen is a brat, always has been. He was just teasing you, so this—” she waved a hand over me, “whatever this is—has to stop. I mean, we all saw him clear as day. Ghosts don’t do that, Harper. They aren’t solid. Heck, they don’t even know what’s going on, really. They’re probably going about their business like it’s just any other day, stuck in a loop.”
“Residual,” I added. “That’s the word. Residual. But maybe that’s not how they live.”
“They who?” GG asked.
I stared at her, hoping she’d believe me. I really needed both of them on board. “The dead. Maybe they do have lives, separate from ours, and we can’t see each other because they’re on another level—or plane.”
Court shook her head. “Have you been watching some documentary or something?”
I adjusted my stance and straightened my shoulders. “We’ve heard things our whole lives, right? Bumps, footsteps, doors opening, and closing. Well, what if it’s just them living out their lives, and they don’t know that they’re dead?”
“Wow. That’s a pretty cool theory.” GG was interested. It excited me that she was starting to come around. Now I need Court to believe me.
Court shook her head and raised her hands. “How would you not know that you’re dead?” she eyed GG in disbelief, then turn her attention on me, “And Killian, if he’s dead then how was he here, talking to us?”
“True,” GG added.
“And why, why would you think he’s dead, Harper?” Court wasn’t letting go. I’d need to work harder to convince her.
“Fine. Come on.” I waved them toward the side door.
They paused. My eyes widened. “Seriously! Come with me right now, or don’t. It’s up to you guys, but when have I ever lied to either one of you? When?”
They looked at each other and then back at me.
“Hold on.” I ran back to the door that sat between the atrium and the kitchen and yelled inside.
“Mom! We’re going trick or treating!”
“Okay, love! Be careful.”
I turned back to face them as I closed the door.
“So, what’ll it be?” I asked.
* * *
We stood in front of the tombstone. I didn’t have to say anything. Court pursed her lips, and GG shook her head. I was just glad it was still here, and I wasn’t crazy because that would be the end of everything. My theory, their interest—or any type of solution.
I won’t lie. There were moments while I was leading them here that I doubted myself. I started to think that my emotions had gotten the better of me.
But here it was, the stone with Killian’s name carved into it. Sitting right in front of the three of us.
“I just—I don’t—what is this?” GG asked.
Court rolled her eyes and turned to face her. She grabbed her arms and gave her a gentle shake.
“It’s her boyfriend.”
Her eyebrows lowered, forcing wrinkles on her forehead. “Killian isn’t like us, GG. He’s dead. Gone. Buried in the ground, below us.” Court added.
We all looked down at our feet and took two steps back, so we were no longer standing on him—Killian that is.
“What the SHI—”
We all turned as Liv stepped up and stared at the stone. He lifted his hand and then covered his mouth. He was in shock. He was dressed like the devil in a nice red suit with a ruffled top, complete with horns.
“Who called him?” I asked.
Court rolled her eyes. “I texted him.” Her arms went wide. “What? He needed to know!”
I turned back and gawked at the stone. I planned on telling Liv, but not right now.
Liv reached toward the stone but didn’t touch it. “So, he—he can’t be. He’s so cute!”
I rolled my eyes. “Are ghosts ugly?” I asked.
He stepped back in awe. “Well, zombies are.”
I snorted. “He isn’t a zombie. He’s just—”
Court interrupted me. “Dead, which sort of makes him a zombie.”
I shook my head. “Zombies are the walking dead, all gooey and nasty. Killian definitely isn’t rotting.”
Liv cocked his hip. “Girl, how do you know? He could be casting some spell over you.”
I lifted my hands and dropped them at my sides. “So now he’s what? A zombie witch?”
He didn’t say anything because he had no answer for his ridiculous assumptions. But how ridiculous were they? Here I was telling them that Killian was dead and just hanging out with us.
“Listen. I did something terrible when we went to get coffee. I freaked out on him and said awful things. I told him I didn’t want to see him ever again.”
Liv touched my arm. “Why would you say that?”
Court shook her head. “Because you filled her head with all that junk about getting married, you brat!”
“Oh—well, I was just kidding—sort of.”
GG glared at him. “What do you mean by that?”
He bit his lip. “Okay, listen! I didn’t have a boyfriend! I was jealous, you both got one and then Harper—I just, I couldn’t stand it.”
“What!?” GG yelled. “So, you lied to us?!”
Liv stepped back. “I just—I love you guys! I love this! What we have.” He circled the air with his hand. “When you two started dating, I was so upset, but jealous, too, and I didn’t want to look like no one wanted to date me, so I made it all up. I never had anyone, and I know it was stupid—and then when you both came back—well, I was so happy that we were all together again, but then Killian showed up, and I just couldn’t handle losing Harper.”
We all stood there in silence amongst the tombstones.
GG stepped up to him, and after a few tense seconds she leaned in and hugged him. Court joined her, and they waved me in, so we all ended up in a circle of hugs in the center of the cemetery. The tears followed with a few sniffles. Court stepped back, causing the rest of us to disperse. She rubbed her cheek with the side of her hand.
“So—what do we do now?” she asked.
We all turned and stared at the stone while taking each other’s hands.
“I have a plan,” I spoke with confidence, because without it, we may fail.
Chapter Twenty-Three
We returned home to a quiet house. The caramel popcorn sat in a large bowl with a note. My mom and dad had left for the evening to take my brothers to the birthday party.
I ran upstairs while calling down to them.
“Go into the living room and close the curtains. Light some candles, too. There should be a bunch of white ones in the closet. My mom keeps an arsenal in there.” They all scrambled to find what we needed, rushing into the living room with armloads of white candles.
I ran to the attic and opened the chest. I reached in and grabbed a wooden box. I returned to the living room to catch Liv shoveling caramel popcorn into his mouth.
“Seriously?”
&nb
sp; His eyebrow arched. “What? I’m skipping a bag full of candy for this.”
I approached the large coffee table that sat between the black couches. The fireplace roared, filling the room with the eerie hue that burning wood can only produce.
“We should light all the candles,” I spoke quietly as the wood crackled in the fireplace.
They had placed them everywhere, so they rushed to each one, lighting wick after wick, until dozens filled the room with more light.
I set the box down on the table, and they all gathered around it.
“Is that?” GG asked.
I nodded while studying the lettering. “Yep. It’s a Ouija Board.”
Court knelt down, and I followed. Liv was still chewing when he joined us. Only GG seemed hesitant.
“They don’t allow these boards here in Juniper Hollow,” she whispered. She was right. The town had decided that these boards were a disturbance to the dead, so everyone had gotten rid of theirs, but somehow ours had been stored away in the attic and forgotten.
I considered it lucky.
I reached up and took her hand. “I need your help, please. Halloween is a special night. It’s when the veil between us and the dead is the thinnest it will ever be. I don’t want to wait a whole year to try to talk to him again. What if I never can? Help me, please?”
She knelt down. I joined her, and she hugged me. “Okay, but you’ll owe me big time. I just hate these things. They creep me out and make me feel funny.”
I opened the box and stared at the black board with white lettering. It looked old, worn. Like someone had used it over and over again. I removed the triangular-shaped piece and set it aside, then picked up the board. My fingers felt warm, even though the house is chilled. I lifted it, and GG moved the box out of the way so I could place it in the center of the table. I picked up the triangular piece and paused.
“Are you sure about this?” GG whispered.
I nodded while placing the piece on the board. After a few seconds of silence, Court reached in and gently placed her fingertips on the edge of the triangular piece. Liv followed her lead, as did I, and then GG finally reached in with a sigh. She scanned the room like she was looking for something.
